New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-15
LORILLARUS FACTORY DESERTED
VARIOUS REASONS FOR TIE STRIKE.

NEARLY $500 PEOPLE OUT OF EMPLofMENi-No
VIOLENCE ATTEMPTED
The firm of p Lorllard g. Co., the extensive
,ohacco manufacturers In Jersey City, we're taken
com,letely by surprise yesterday morning when
900 employees in the plug department quit Work ana
marched out In body 1t was the beginning OF
strike and later in the day the employees III the me-
cut department joined the main body. This necessi-
tnted cessation Of work all the departments, and
before night nearly $500 men and women boys ana
girls. were out OF employment The large majority OF
the strikers spent the day in trying to find ont what u
was all about, but did not meet with much success.
A meeting was called at Franklin Hall. but that
proved too small and the strikers adjourned to tho
Pavonia Rink. where about 2oOO OF them heid
prolonged meeting in the afternoon. Several reporters
went thtre TO ascertain the cause OF the trouble
they we're refused all information and also threatened
with violence. 1t was learned, however. that the
strikers had resoly ed to demand the discharge oil
Assistant Superintendent Walter Scott Brown and tho
restoration of their to the same figure al Whc
they two years ago. when reduction OF III Por
cent was made. =, -, ,.,..u
One version of the origin Of the strike Is that two
men employed in the plug department spent gIcas
part OF their tmo in skyarking ana were o'srni ecu
after being repeatedly warned. All the other EN-,
nnves on the same floor took sides with the discharged
men and quit work When their act'on was eomm"n-
icated to the departments the general strike was
"A
TRIRJTNE reporter cOnversed had definite ldca OF
why they struck. One said 1t was because under
recent orders issued by Assistant superintendent
Brown man was Obliged 10 DO TWO men 3 "orA'
Another said the wages were too low, as they were
often compelled 10 work halt time and con not make
than 81 CT So a week third SAID that n 81:
Brown was tyrann cal and expected too much from tue
employees All admitted that the alleged grievances
had not be en- laid before the firm or any member OF H.
although there is n rule posted mp IN all the uePI.
ments inviting the employees to lay ther trc9olos
before the firm assuring them of respectful consiue
ton and immediate redress wbrn well-founded with
the further assurance that 10 snpioye vi" suner ior
pursuing that course.
C. II. Barkelew. a member OF the firm. said he had
no idea Of what the employees complained nome OF
them had called his attention or that OF any DINER
member of the firm to real or imaginary grey
apce and be at loss TO account + the strke.
lie admitted that two men who introduced themselves
as walking delegates OF the knights of Labor rad
called at the Office TO bitrae between the firm ana
the employees. They dismissed with the inorma-
ton that the firm bad received no complaints, from irom
their employees and when thsy did they Wouid treat
with the employees directly according To the RUE OF tine
establishments The employees will be paid to-day and
have an opportunity OF returning 10 work ohse %
their refusal others will be secured to take their
places -, ry,.
night in large numbers and said that they were
bein, init tied into the Knights OF Labor At meet
in OF the knights which is TO be held in Pythagoras
Hall. this city the Lorsrd strike will be brought up
tor discussion. So
One of the strikers who seemed to be more inte,
gent and reasonable than the general run oil the sara
last night that the employees struck because they mro
compelled to work for starvation wages. Inc
majority OF the paid b. the hour. and as they
often allowed to work only halitme their wages
for the year average from 81 TO SS week The girls
average from So to So and some of them make as
high "a Sc week. few days ago Mr.. Brown
announced that he intended 10 the factory 81 3OO
cheaper this year than last and in order to do TINS ne
started system of making tne man do the work OF
two men, Ire order given on Thursday and The
men determined not TO submit TO IT, The work alluded
to is wheeling a SIN all four wheeled truck with about
800 pounds Of tobacco 1t dtance OF about sixty
fcet aud Mr.. Brown snys boy could do II easily
The majority Of the strikers poor and their beng
out OF eln Dloyine will entail much suffering
Lorllard Co. enojy the reputation OF treating their
employees with unusual lber,lity Ihey maintain
night school and library for them and spend about
$50, 900 year in trying 20 improve their condition
and furnish them with recreation ana umscment.